MX2013005130A - Wet friction material for hair removal devices. - Google Patents

Abstract

A hair removal device comprising a thermoplastic elastomer disposed on a portion of the hair removal device and one or more projections extending from the thermoplastic elastomer. The thermoplastic elastomer is polar and hydrophilic.

Description

FRICTION MATERIAL IN WET FOR DEVICES FOR THE ELIMINATION OF HAIR FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates, generally, to materials for hair removal devices and, more particularly, to materials for hair removal devices having a high coefficient of friction in wet and low dry adhesion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Devices for hair removal typically include thermoplastic polymers for coupling to a surface of a user's skin. For example, fins on a wet razor or grip portions on a handle of a hair removal device include thermoplastic polymers for improving the engagement of a skin surface with the hair removal device. However, thermoplastic polymers for hair removal devices can be slippery when the devices are wet during typical hair removal environments. This results in the slippage and / or poor coupling of the thermoplastic polymer with the surface of the skin. Additionally, with respect to the gripping portions of the hair removal devices, users often have to apply an additional effort to grab the devices.

Current methods can increase the coefficient of friction in wet, but these methods, however, do not improve a user's perception of the grip of hair removal devices or the coupling of a user's skin with thermoplastic polymers. For example, in one method, the thermoplastic polymer may have a higher coefficient of friction, but such methods may also have greater tackiness or perceived stickiness for a user, which may be uncomfortable and undesirable. Additionally, current methods have complications in the manufacture of thermoplastic polymers that adhere to substrates of hair removal devices, such as injection molded thermoplastic elastomers that adhere to substrates of hair removal devices.

Then, what is needed is a wet friction material suitable for a device for hair removal that is preferably stable and durable, and has a high coefficient of friction in wet and low dry adhesion, which would improve the coupling of the device for removing hair with the wearer's skin, for example, for the secure grip of a portion of the handle, potentially without discomfort. Further, a wet friction material is needed that can be adhered, preferably, to a substrate of a hair removal device for injection molded polymers, such as injection molded thermoplastic elastomers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, the invention relates to a device for hair removal comprising a thermoplastic elastomer disposed in a portion of the device for hair removal and one or more projections extending from the thermoplastic elastomer. The thermoplastic elastomer is polar and hydrophilic.

The aforementioned aspect may comprise one or more of the following modalities. The thermoplastic elastomer can define one or more pores to facilitate the removal of water. The thermoplastic elastomer can have a coefficient of friction in a range of about 2.0 to about 3.5 when moistened with water, a bond strength of about 0.03 N to about 0.12 N (about 3 g to about 12 g) dry, and / or a Shore A hardness of from about 35 to about 50. One or more projections can comprise at least two projections, and / or at least one slot can be formed between at least two projections. One or more projections may be formed integrally with the thermoplastic elastomer, for example, by injection molding, such as two-step injection molding. The portion of the hair removal device comprises at least one of a grip portion of the hair removal device and a fin on a protector of the hair removal device.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a device for hair removal comprising a thermoplastic elastomer disposed in at least a portion of the device for hair removal and the thermoplastic elastomer defines one or more pores to facilitate the removal of water when It is wet. The thermoplastic elastomer is polar and hydrophilic.

This aspect may comprise one or more of the following modalities. The thermoplastic elastomer can have a coefficient of friction in a range of about 2.0 to about 3.5 when moistened with water, a bond strength of about 0.03 N to about 0.12 N (about 3 g to about 12 g) dry, and / or a Shore A hardness of about 35 to about 50. The device for hair removal may further comprise one or more projections, such as at least two projections, extending from the thermoplastic elastomer, and / or at least one groove may be formed between at least two projections One or more projections may be formed integrally with the thermoplastic elastomer, for example, by injection molding, such as two-step injection molding. The portion of the hair removal device may comprise at least one grip portion of the hair removal device and a fin on a protector of the hair removal device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Other features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the invention itself, may be fully understood from the following description of the various embodiments, when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a known material for a device for the removal of wet hair; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a wet friction material in a portion of a device for hair removal in accordance with a wet embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a table illustrating the coefficient of friction of the known material of Figure 1 and a wet friction material according to a wet embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a table illustrating the properties of stiffness and dry friction coefficient, wet friction coefficient, surface energy, and peel strength for wet friction materials according to the embodiments of the invention relative to the known material of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a table illustrating wet adhesion and coefficient of friction properties for the known material of Figure 1 and a wet friction material according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a textured surface in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of another textured surface in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of yet another textured surface in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Y Figures 9A and 9B are schematic perspective views of textured surfaces in accordance with the embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Except when indicated in any other way, the articles "a" "ones" and "the", "the", "the", "the" refer to "one or more".

As used in the present description, "hair removal devices" comprise any apparatus or device intended to remove hair, such as a shaver (manual or powered) for dry or wet shaving, epilator, electric shaver and combinations of these.

With reference to Figure 1, a known device for hair removal 10 comprises a thermoplastic elastomer 12 disposed in a portion of the device for hair removal 10. In an embodiment, the thermoplastic elastomer 12 is disposed in a substrate 14 of the hair removal device 10 in which the substrate 14 can be formed from a variety of materials, such as polymers (eg, thermoplastic polymers, polypropylene, polyethylene , etc.), plastic, metal (eg, molten metal), etc. The known thermoplastic elastomer 12 is a black thermoplastic elastomer based on polypropylene of high flow rate with a Shore A hardness of 35. The known thermoplastic elastomer 12 is from the styrene ethylene butylene styrene styrene multi-block copolymer family. The known thermoplastic elastomer 12 is also composed of a mineral oil, calcium carbonate and silica, and contains thermal stabilizers and antioxidants. The known thermoplastic elastomer 12 is injection molded and disposed in the substrate 14. The known thermoplastic elastomer 12 can have low surface energy and / or hydrophobic properties so that the water in the known thermoplastic elastomer 12 forms globules when the known thermoplastic elastomer 12 is moistened with water.

Now, with reference to Figure 2, a hair removal device 20 comprises a wet friction material 22 disposed in, formed in, and / or formed with a portion of the device for removing hair 20. The portion of the hair removal device 20 including wet friction material 22 comprises any skin engaging portion of hair removal device 20, such as a grip portion (eg, any portion that the user grip) and / or the protective portion of the shaver (eg, fins on the protector). The wet friction material 22 is disposed on a substrate 24 of the hair removal device 20 in which the substrate 14 can be formed from a variety of materials, such as polymers (e.g., thermoplastic polymers, polypropylene, polyethylene, etc.), plastic, metal (eg, molten metal), etc. Additionally or alternatively, the wet friction material 22 It may be formed in or formed with the substrate 24. Preferably, the wet friction material 22 is injection molded and, optionally, molded with the substrate 24 in a two step injection molding process, for example, in the embodiments wherein the substrate 24 is optionally a thermoplastic polymer, such as a thermoplastic elastomer. Non-limiting examples of injection molded polymers suitable for devices for hair removal include those described in US Pat. UU no. 7,197,825 and 7,669,335 and the publication of US patent application. UU no. 2010/0005669 The wet friction material 22 has a high wet coefficient of friction, for example, a higher coefficient of wet friction compared to the known thermoplastic elastomer 12. The coefficient of friction is high for the wet friction material 22 when moistened in aqueous media, including water and lubricating materials (eg, skin preparations such as foams, gels, soaps, etc.). In addition, the wet friction material 22 may have a higher surface capacitance than the known thermoplastic elastomer 12 but, preferably, with low adhesion. For example, users can firmly grip the wet friction material 22, for example, which results in greater comfort and wet control and is not uncomfortable to grip or sticky when dry. In one embodiment, the wet friction material 22 is polar and hydrophilic. Additionally or alternatively, the wet friction material 22 has high surface energy (eg, probably, by a sufficiently low contact angle) so as to improve the wettability of the wet friction material 22 and so that water globules are minimized or do not exist when the wet friction material 22 is moistened with water. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that avoiding the formation of water globules (or other lubricating materials) and improving wettability (eg, by promoting surface wetting) can each one or both serve to decrease the amount of water a user must penetrate to couple the skin to the wet friction material 22.

The wet friction material 22 comprises a polymer, preferably a thermoplastic polymer and, even more preferably, a thermoplastic elastomer. Non-limiting examples of suitable thermoplastic elastomers are described in US Pat. UU no. 5,314,940, 5,670,263, 6,610,382, and 6,904,615, and in the US patent application publications. UU no. 2002/01 14920 and 201 1/01431 12. For example, suitable elastomer classes may comprise hydrated styrene block copolymers (eg, styrene ethylene butylenes (SEBS) and styrene butadiene styrene ( SBS, for its acronym in English)), anionic triblock copolymers, thermoplastic elastomers based on polyolefins, thermoplastic elastomers based on halogen-containing polyolefins, thermoplastic elastomers based on dynamically vulcanized thermoplastic elastomer blends, thermoplastic elastomers based on polyester or polyether ester, thermoplastic elastomers based on polyamides or polyimides, ionomer thermoplastic elastomers, partially or completely hydrogenated styrene butadiene styrene block copolymers, hydrogenated block copolymers in interpenetrating polymer networks of thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic elastomers by carbocationic polymerization, polymer blends containing hydrogenated styrene / butadiene block copolymers, polymers of block such as polystyrene materials with elastomeric segments, and thermoplastic elastomers based on polyacrylate. Examples of elastomers may include natural rubber, butyl rubber, EPDM rubber, silicone rubber such as polydimethylsiloxane, polyisoprene, polypropylene, polybutadiene, polyurethane, ethylene / propylene / diene terpolymer elastomers, chloroprene rubber, styrene butadiene copolymers (random or block), styrene-isoprene copolymers (random or block), acrylonitrile copolymers, mixtures of these and copolymers thereof. The block copolymers can have linear, radial or star-shaped configurations and can be diblock (AB) or triblock (ABA) copolymers or mixtures thereof. Mixtures or combinations of these elastomers with each other or with non-elastomeric modifiers are also contemplated. The elastomers are available from Arkema Inc., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (e.g., Pebax® 2533); He. DuPont de Nemours & Co., Wilmington, Delaware (eg, Zytel® 2158L); Kraton Polymers U.S. LLC, Houston, Texas; and Kraiburg TPE Corp., Duluth, Georgia.

Additionally or alternatively, the wet friction material 22 is a composite structure, such as a thermoplastic elastomer modified with additives, fillers, and / or rubber blends or modifiers. In the US patent. UU no. 3,972,528 composite structures, additives and / or suitable fillers are described. For example, additives may be one or more of the following additives: paraffinic white oils, inorganic fillers, plasticizers ester ether, mineral oil sulfurized, alkenyl amide, styrene, polystyrene, vaseline, polyisobutylene, polybutene, styrene, elastomeric , ethylene, butylene, aqueous carboxylated synthetic polymer having a minimum film-forming temperature (MFFT) (eg, 10 degrees Celsius or less), synthetic polymer of low MFFT reinforced during manufacture with polystyrene, combinations thereof, or any other suitable additive to achieve a wet friction material 22 having a high coefficient of friction in wet and dry low adhesion. Additionally or alternatively, loads can be one or more of the following loads: treated clay lignin sulfonate, comminuted fragments melamine resin foam, oxide powder porous granulated aluminum, diatomaceous earth, silica, pulp acrylonitrile, granulated filler having a surface area of about 35 m2 / g to about 410 m2 / g, clay (about 5 parts by weight a about 30 parts by weight), aluminum hydroxide, hollow particle aluminum oxide, dibutylphthalate (applied material carbon fiber) has hardened, burned and charred), particles of vulcanized rubber, aramid fiber, residual ash, ethyl ethylene vinyl, polyethylene, rubber, elastomer, hollow carbonate, alumina, carbide, carborundum, diamond powder, white carbon (from about 15 weight percent to about 80 weight percent), ceramic fiber (about 5 percent by weight), weight to about 50 weight percent), combinations thereof, or any other suitable filler to achieve a wet friction material 22 having a high coefficient of friction in wet and low dry adhesion. The amount of any additive and / or filler is controlled in such a way that the tensile strength is maintained at an acceptable level with adhesion to a substrate which is further maintained at an acceptable level.

Figure 3 illustrates the differences in the coefficient of friction of the known thermoplastic elastomer 12 and a wet friction material A, according to one embodiment of the invention, when they are moistened with water. The known thermoplastic elastomer 12 has a coefficient of friction when wetted with water of about 1.2 to about 1.6, for example about 1.4. In comparison, the wet friction material A preferably has a coefficient of friction when wetted with water of about 2.8, about twice the known elastomer 12.

Figure 4 shows various properties of the wet friction materials B and C, according to various embodiments of the invention, normalized to the known thermoplastic elastomer 12. Generally, the hardness of the wet friction materials B and C is preferably , approximately the same as the known thermoplastic elastomer 12, although, optionally, the hardness of the Wet friction materials may be greater than or less than the known thermoplastic elastomer 12. In one embodiment of the invention, the hardness of a wet friction material may be in the range of about 1 time to about 1.5 times the of the known thermoplastic elastomer 12. For example, the hardness of a wet friction material may be in the Shore A hardness range of from about 5 to about 95, preferably from about 30 to about 60 and, even more preferably, from about 35 to about 53. The coefficient of dry friction for the wet friction materials B and C may be greater than the known thermoplastic elastomer 12, for example, in the range of about 1.5 times to about 3.5 times that of the known thermoplastic elastomer 12, preferably about 1.8 times that of the known thermoplastic elastomer 12. For example, the The dry friction coefficient for the known thermoplastic elastomer 12 is approximately 1.5 and the dry friction coefficient for the wet friction materials may be in the range of from about 2.0 to about 5.3, preferably from about 2.4 to about 3.0. In various embodiments, the coefficient of friction for the wet friction materials B and C when moistened with water may be in the range of about 1.2 times to about 3.8 times that of the known thermoplastic elastomer 12, preferably about 2.2 times that of the known thermoplastic elastomer 12. For example, the coefficient of friction for the known thermoplastic elastomer 12 when wetted with water is approximately 1.3 and the coefficient of friction for the wet friction materials when wetted with water may be the range of about 1.4 to about 5.0, preferably about 1 .9 to approximately 2.8. Additionally, the surface energies of the wet friction materials B and C may be greater than the known thermoplastic elastomer 12 in the range of about 1 time to about 2.0 times that of the known thermoplastic elastomer 12, preferably about 1.25 times that of the known thermoplastic elastomer 12. For example, the surface energy of the known thermoplastic elastomer is about 26 mJ / m2, and the surface energies of the wet friction materials can be in a range of about 25 mJ / m2 to about 52 mJ / m2, preferably, from about 27 mJ / m2 to about 34 mJ / m2. The peel strength, which refers to the strength of the adhesive bond, for example, to a substrate, of the wet friction materials B and C may also be higher than the known thermoplastic elastomer 12, for example, in the range from about 1 time to about 2.5 times that of the known thermoplastic elastomer 12, preferably about 1.5 times that of the known thermoplastic elastomer 2.

Figure 5 illustrates the adhesion force and coefficient of friction of the wet properties for the known thermoplastic elastomer 12 and other wet friction material D, in one embodiment of the invention. Adhesion is a characteristic of a material to form an immediate cohesive adherence to a contact surface. Therefore, the form of adhesion is the measure of the resistance of the material to separate from the contact surface. Preferably, the adhesion force of the wet friction material D is similar to that of the known thermoplastic elastomer 12, although the adhesion force of the wet friction materials may be greater than or less than that of the known thermoplastic elastomer 12. In In one embodiment, the adhesion force of the known thermoplastic elastomer 2 is in a range of about 0.009 N to about 0.09 N (from about g to about 10 g), preferably, from about 0.03 N to about 0.08 N (from about 3 g to about 8 g). The adhesion force of the wet friction material D is in a range from about 0.009 N to about 0.25 N (from about 1 g to about 25 g), preferably from about 0.03 N to about 0.12 N (from about 3 g to about 12). g). In alternative embodiments, the adhesion force of a wet friction material according to one embodiment of the invention can be much greater than that of the known thermoplastic elastomer 12. For example, the adhesion force of a wet friction material can to be in a range of about 1.96 N to about 6.87 N (from about 200 g to about 700 g), preferably, from about 2.94 N to about 4.90 N (from about 300 g to about 500 g). The coefficient of wet friction with water of the wet friction material D is greater than that of the known thermoplastic elastomer 12. Generally, the coefficient of wet friction for the known thermoplastic elastomer 12 is from about 1.2 to about 1.6. The coefficient of wet friction with water for the wet friction material D is preferably in a range from about 2.1 to about 3.2 and, even more preferably, from about 2.4 to about 2.8. In one embodiment, the coefficient of friction for the known thermoplastic elastomer 12 wet with lubricant material, for example, by the use of approximately 2 g of Gillette® Series sensitive skin shaving gel (available from The Gillette Co., Boston, Massachusetts) is approximately 0.275. The coefficient of wet friction with lubricant material, for example, by the use of approximately 2 g of Gillette® Series sensitive skin shaving gel, for wet friction materials in accordance with the embodiments of the invention is preferably in a range of from about 0.28 to about 2.0 and, even more preferably, from about 0.29 to about 0.5.

Now, with reference to Figures 6 to 9B, various embodiments of wet friction materials of the present invention may optionally include projections or textured patterns that extend from the wet friction material to improve the friction material coupling. wet with the skin. The projections and textured patterns can also break the surface tension of the water (or lubricant material) or expose it above the water (or lubricant material) for coupling with the skin. In one embodiment, a textured pattern 30 may be similar to that of a fingerprint pattern with non-linear shapes, concave and convex curvatures, and intersecting lines. In another embodiment, the projections 32 can have a rectangular shape, such that a cross section of each of the projections 32 is generally square. By "generally rectangular", it is understood that the projections 32 include non-rectangular elements, e.g. protrusions, protuberances or recesses, and / or may include regions along their length that are not rectangular, such as ends that become thin and / or that widen due to manufacturing and design considerations. In yet another embodiment, the projections 34 may be, generally, cylindrical, such that a cross section of each of the projections 34 may be generally circular. By "generally cylindrical" is meant that the projections 34 include non-cylindrical elements, e.g. protrusions, protuberances or recesses, and / or may include regions along their length that are non-cylindrical, such as thinning ends and / or that are widened due to manufacturing and design considerations. Still in another modality, the projections 36, 38 can be, generally, fluted, in such a way that a cross section of each of the projections 36, 38 can have, generally, a diamond shape. The projections can form any geometrical, polygonal, arcuate or combinations of these. For example, as illustrated in Figure 9B, the projections may include a combination of a fluted pattern 38 and arched projections 40. In one embodiment, the projections and / or the textured patterns are formed, integrally, with the friction material at damp. Additionally or alternatively, the texturized projections and / or patterns can be configured and formed to form channels for fluid removal. The channels can be slots formed between the projections. In a further or alternative embodiment, the channels can define pores to remove / remove fluid from the wet friction material by absorbing fluids, for example, by an absorbent layer beneath the wet friction material, or by allowing the fluid Drain below the wet friction material. In various embodiments, without wishing to be limited by theory, it is believed that a range of percentage ratios of the distance between the projections (D) on the height of the projections (H) promotes pleasant sensory touch, preferably, within a range of about 25% to about 75%, even more preferably, about 60%. In addition, it is believed that the slightest reaction of the projection on the surface of the skin, such as a fingerprint, provides a more comfortable feel. For example, the smallest reaction of the projection, that is, a larger surface area to touch the skin, is more comfortable; on the contrary, the greater reaction of the projection, that is, a smaller surface area or a sharper edge, to touch the skin is less comfortable.

Test procedure to measure properties Hardness The hardness of the materials is tested at room temperature and at 36 degrees Celsius by using an Instron 9130-35 Shore A hardness tester (available from Instron, Norwood, Massachusetts) in accordance with ASTM 2240-00.

Coefficient of friction in dry and wet The coefficient of friction for each material to be analyzed is measured by the use of an MTT175 tension tester (available from Dia-stron Limited, Broomall, Pa.) In which an imitation preparation of the skin is dragged along the material to be analyzed. The coefficient of friction for each material is tested when it is dry, moistened with water or in the presence of various lubricating materials (eg foams, gels, non-aerosols). To imitate the skin, a textured polyurethane pad is prepared. Non-limiting examples of skin imitation preparations and textured polyurethane pads are described in Patent Application Publication Nos. 2007/0128255 and 2009/0212454. A sliding platform / probe having a polished stainless steel surface is used. The imitation material of the skin is attached to the surface of the sliding platform / probe by double-sided tape or hooks. The material to be analyzed is attached to the platform below the surface of the sliding platform / probe with, preferably, double-sided tape and, optionally, hooks. If heat is used, the water bath for heating the platform of the MTT 75 test apparatus is set at 39 +/- 1 degrees Celsius and water is circulated. The sliding platform / probe with the imitation material of the skin is mounted to the frame of the floating parallelogram of the test apparatus, which is connected to a load cell. The angle of the sliding platform / probe with the imitation material of the skin are fixed so that the surface of the imitation material of the skin is flat against the platform, which is attached to the material to be analyzed, at an angle Approximately 35 degrees. The parallelogram frame is leveled so that it is flat. The downward force can be adjusted by moving weights along the threaded shank where the downward force is adjusted from approximately 1.72 N to approximately 2.26 N (from approximately 175 g to approximately 230 g). If shaving preparations are used (e.g. g., lubricating materials), foam is generated by applying the shaving preparation to the material to be tested and foam is formed by hand for about 30 seconds to about 60 seconds. For gels, 2.5 +/- 0.7 grams of gel is applied. For foams, 3.0 +/- 0.7 grams of foam is applied. A downward stretching bar can be used to level the surface of the shaving preparation, set to approximately 2 mm, along the skin imitator. Before carrying out the tests, the load cells are set to zero. To perform the test that measures the coefficient of friction, a computer program associated with the MTT175 test instrument is used and fixed in a load cell of approximately 19.6 N (2000 gf) with a displacement of approximately 60 mm and a speed of about 1500 mm / min at room temperature. From displacement, a smaller range of displacement is analyzed, such as from about 1 10 mm to about 150 mm. A force of approximately 2.22 N (226 g) is applied in which the force is calibrated with an ettler-toldeo scale series no. 1 14020837 (available from Mettler-Toledo, Inc., Columbus, Ohio). When the wet coefficient of friction is measured, approximately 1 ml of tap water is used at room temperature under the probe. For each test, approximately one to three passes are completed for each material. A new material is used to perform another test. The imitation material of the skin in the test head is washed with water and a wipe with alcohol and then dried with a paper towel. Alternatively, the imitation material of the skin is replaced. The test head is dried before use.

To maximize data accounting, at least three different operators perform the tests with a standard deviation of approximately less than 20% for the data from the first pass during three separate tests; each operator during a period of three separate days. For each operator, the relative standard deviation is approximately less than 20%.

Relative The adhesion information for each material is measured by the use of a texture analyzer TA.XTP / us and its associated computer program (available from Texture Technologies Corporation, Scarsdale, New York). The imitation material of the skin, prepared as described above, is attached to the round end of the probe of the instrument for texture analysis by double-sided tape and the material to be analyzed is attached to the metal platform of the instrument for analysis of texture, which is under the adhesion probe, using double-sided tape. The instrument is calibrated in such a way that the height is fixed at 10 mm and the force is fixed by using a 19.6 N weight (2000 g). Each test cycle includes contacting the probe with the material to be analyzed for approximately 5 seconds. Then, the probe contact is separated at about 5 mm / second. The probe comes into contact with the material to be analyzed a second time for approximately 5 seconds and is separated at approximately 1 mm / second. Optionally, to obtain the maximum benefit, the contact of the probe with the material to be analyzed is repeated, the probe comes into contact with the material a second time after a delay of 5 seconds.

After completing a test cycle, the imitation material of the skin is washed with alcohol and dried with a paper towel. The material to be analyzed is replaced with a new and fresh material and is repeated for a total of at least three sampling cycles per material.

To maximize the reliability of the data, at least three different operators perform the tests with a standard deviation of approximately less than 50%, preferably, approximately less than 20%, during three separate tests; each operator during a period of three separate days.

Surface energy The contact angle measurements are used to determine the surface energy of the materials to be analyzed in which the contact angle depends on the compatibility between the properties of the surface of the wetting liquid and the material to be analyzed. The surface energy is calculated from the Young equation in energy measurements per unit area (mJ / m2). The contact angle measurements use a contact angle and surface tension instrument (available from First Ten Angstroms, Portsmouth, Virginia), such as FTA200, with FTA video 2.0 software in which the instrument includes a camera that can capture many images per second, a pump to dispense drops from syringes, and a platform to place the sample while the images are collected. To set up the test, the lighting is adjusted such that there is a white background and a dark drop and the focus is adjusted.

The material to be analyzed is placed under the syringe and leveled. The syringe is loaded with a first liquid in such a way that no bubbles remain. The program is started and executed in such a way that the instrument drops the liquid and makes the measurements of the contact angle. Two solvents are used, specifically, methylene iodide and water. The Owens-Wendt regression analysis is performed to obtain measurements of the surface energy based on these two solvents.

It shall be understood that any maximum numerical limit given in this specification shall include any lower numerical limit, as if the lower numerical limits had been explicitly quoted in the present description. All the minimum numerical limits cited in this specification shall include all major numerical limits, as if said larger numerical limits had been explicitly cited in the present description. All numerical ranges cited in this specification shall include all minor intervals that fall within the larger numerical ranges, as if all minor numerical ranges had been explicitly quoted in the present description.

All parts, ratios and percentages used in the present description, in the specification, examples and claims, are expressed by weight and all numerical limits are used to the normal degree of accuracy permitted by the industry, unless otherwise indicated. Another way.

The dimensions and values described in the present description should not be construed as strictly limited to the exact numerical values mentioned. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each of these dimensions will mean both the aforementioned value and a functionally equivalent range that includes that value. For example, a dimension described as "40 mm" refers to "approximately 40 mm." All documents cited in the present disclosure including any cross reference or related application or patent, are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein unless expressly excluded or limited in any other way. If any document is mentioned it should not be construed as admitting that it constitutes a prior industry with respect to any invention described or claimed in the present description, or that independently or in combination with any other reference or references, instructs, suggests or describes such invention. In addition, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document contradicts any meaning or definition of the term in a document incorporated as a reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the industry that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it has been intended to encompass in the appended claims all changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims (15)

1. CLAIMS 1 . A device for removing hair (10); the device comprises: a thermoplastic elastomer (12) disposed in a portion of the hair removal device (10); Y one or more projections (32) extending from the thermoplastic elastomer (12), characterized in that the thermoplastic elastomer (12) is polar and hydrophilic. 2. The device for hair removal according to claim 1, further characterized in that the thermoplastic elastomer defines one or more pores to facilitate the removal of water. 3. The device for hair removal according to claim 1, further characterized in that one or more projections comprise at least two projections and at least one slot can be formed between at least two projections. 4. The device for hair removal according to claim 1, further characterized in that one or more projections are formed integrally with the thermoplastic elastomer. 5. The device for hair removal according to claim 4, further characterized in that one or more projections are formed integrally with the thermoplastic elastomer by injection molding. 6. The device for hair removal according to claim 5, further characterized in that one or more projections are formed integrally with the thermoplastic elastomer by two-step injection molding. 7. The hair removal device according to claim 1, further characterized in that the portion of the hair removal device comprises at least one grip portion of the hair removal device and a fin on a protector of the device for hair removal. hair removal. 8. A device for hair removal; the device comprises: a thermoplastic elastomer disposed in at least a portion of the hair removal device; the thermoplastic elastomer defines one or more pores to facilitate the removal of wet water, further characterized in that the thermoplastic elastomer is polar and hydrophilic. 9. The device for hair removal according to claim 8, characterized in that it also comprises one or more projections extending from the thermoplastic elastomer. 10. The device for hair removal according to claim 9, further characterized in that one or more projections is at least two projections. eleven . The device for hair removal according to claim 10, characterized in that it also comprises at least one groove formed between at least two projections. 12. The device for hair removal according to claim 9, further characterized in that one or more projections are formed integrally with the thermoplastic elastomer. 13. The device for hair removal according to claim 1 1, further characterized in that one or more projections are integrally formed with the thermoplastic elastomer by injection molding. 14. The hair removal device according to claim 12, further characterized in that one or more projections are integrally formed with the thermoplastic elastomer by two-step injection molding. 15. The device for hair removal according to claim 8, further characterized in that the portion of the hair removal device comprises at least one of a grasping portion of the device for hair removal and a fin on the protector of the device. for hair removal.